The Challenge

I have been challenged by a friend to write at least 500 words a week. 500 real words, not those silly made-up ones like shaboogity or snackeldoo, though I like those, too. So, here goes me first:

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Tears of Life

As I was driving to work this morning, the clouds began to gather quickly and turn a dark, forlorn shade of gray. My first thought was, "Oh great, here comes bad weather," but then I remembered how hot it was outside and how much I love rain in warm weather. Reminiscing about that sparked my senses, bringing back the smell of wet dirt and fresh, clean air.

Aloud, I spoke gently to my Best Friend, "I sure love it when it rains on warm days. Thank you for knowing what I wanted before I even knew!"

Within seconds, a big, fat water droplet splattered across my bug-stained windshield. Then another. And another.

As the rain began to fall, tears welled up in my eyes. I thought back to when I was a little girl, sitting on the porch with my Mamaw on a sunny afternoon as the rain started to come down lightly.

pitter patter pitter patter pitter patter

"Mamaw, why does it rain?"

"Well, rain gives water to help the plants live. All living things need water."

"Oh. Well...I thought maybe it was 'cause someone sinned and made God sad. I thought He was crying. Could He be crying, Mamaw?"

"I guess He could, Kristina. People do bad things that make Him sad."

A little part of me has always held onto the silly notion that rain is God's tears. With Him in mind, I am filled with joy when I see rain.

Rain brings refreshing and renewing to all things. It heals the cracks in the dry ground; it brings to life the wilted rose. Rain touches all of nature--transforming the still, quiet surface of a pond into a stage where water dances enthusiastically to the rhythm of the storm.

Rain gives life. It provides hydration to all things living. Rain purifies. It clears the air of dirt and particles of harmful substances.

Rain may not really be the tears of God, but there were tears He shed that held true to a purpose parallel to our current precipitation. Tears that were shed for a people unworthy of the sincerity of those precious, salty drops. They flowed freely from His eyes as He prayed for us--yes, me and you--over 2,000 years ago. The love that brought forth those tears went on to bring forth renewing, refreshing, healing, transforming, cleansing LIFE.

His love for us sent Him to the cross.

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It isn't quite 500 words, nor is it very creative, but I think it will do for this week. Perhaps creativity will come with time, and with it topics that may interest you more than those that hug my heart so tightly.